flame photometry

• this is an instrumental method that helps identify the ions present in a dilute solution
• each ion produces its of line spectrum. the intensity of the wavelength indicates the concentration of that ion. concentration from intensity which is proportional to the number of ions vaporised
• this can be used to identify ions in mixtures so it's more useful in flame tests. these only work for a single metal ion
• an unknown spectrum can be identified by comparing it to a reference spectra.
• instrumental analysis like this are used instead of conducting tests as are very sensitive, very fast, very accurate.
• very sensitive - can detect tiniest amounts of substances. very fast - tests can be automated. very accurate - don't involve human error
• when substances are heated they emit energy in the form of light due to electrons jumping from their original levels when they get excited and coming back down
• in flame emission spectroscopy you expose a sample to a very hot naked flame and measure the intensity and wavelength of the light emitted. this produces an emission spectrum where elements produce different lines